Pure Dead Trouble

by Debi Gliori

Overview

After a vacation in Italy, the Strega-Borgia clan arrives home to a shocking discovery: their faithful butler Latch lying comatose on the front doorstep, reeking faintly of sulphur. Horrified and troubled, Titus and Pandora suspect this may be an omen of bad fortune, but both are soon distracted by their own problems.

Only Nanny McLachlan realizes the truth: Whatever it was that came for Latch is coming back. And when it does, will she alone be strong enough to protect the family?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780307497444
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	02/19/2009
Series:	Pure Dead Series
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	6 MB
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Debi Gliori, born in Glasgow in 1959, is a Scottish writer and illustrator of many popular children’s books. Her bestsellers include What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf? and Mr. Bear to the Rescue, which was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 4-6-The Strega-Borgias are back. This time, someone has attacked their butler, Latch, leaving him with amnesia and a strange sulphuric aroma. Demons from Hades have come looking for the Chronostone, which will give the Boss domination over time itself. Nanny McLachlan, who travels about on a flying rug, is trying to protect the family, while Damp and Pandora discover their magical gifts. What is the relationship between the temporary butler and the new biotechnology company in town? Gliori's talented writing keeps readers guessing from beginning to end. Humorous interludes mix with suspense and fantasy to create a cauldron full of zaniness. Reminiscent of the Addams Family and the Munsters, the Strega-Borgias are nevertheless originals. Vertical line drawings embellish chapter openings. Newcomers don't need to have read the earlier volumes to follow the action, but knowledge of the back story certainly adds to the fun. Devotees will be standing in line for this delightful installment in the series.-Saleena L. Davidson, South Brunswick Public Library, Monmouth Junction, NJ Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

A powerful demon, a psychopath turned Eco-Warrior and, almost worst of all, a seemingly archetypal pair of American tourists join the cast for this fourth outing with the tumultuous Strega-Borgia clan. Returning from Italy to find their butler Latch in an amnesiac daze, the Strega-Borgias hire a temp named Zander, who seems to be a New Age hippie but is really a murderous explosives expert out to shut down gruesome genetic experiments being clandestinely conducted at nearby SapienTech. There's worse trouble afoot, though, as Isagoth, Head of Hell's own Defense Ministry, is zeroing in on the Chronostone, a uniquely dangerous magical token that his boss, S'tan, really, really wants. Some of the set pieces take a bit too long to play out and the actual fate of hyper-competent nanny and retired witch Mrs. McLachlan remains obscure after she takes on the demon. But Gliori stirs in such a delicious assortment of crises domestic and supernatural, of magical creatures both comic and frightening (sometimes in turn), of slapstick, preposterous twists, hair-raising brushes with death, close encounters with gooey slime of several varieties, massive messes and explosions-all ramping up to a violent, helter-skelter climax-that it's all still pure, dead entertaining. (Fantasy. 11-13)

Kirkus Reviews